CD Review: Oleander - "Something Beautiful"

May 15th, 2013 12:16pm EDT
Oleander
Something Beautiful, Oleander’s first release in over a decade, finds the band sounding all things rejuvenated and reenergized, and, in so many words, this is the best the band has ever sounded. If you’re of the close minded camp that thought Oleander hit their apex at the turn of the century with February Son and/or Unwind, then literally, you haven’t seen nothing yet. It’s evident that the bands self-imposed hiatus was time away well spent, as Something Beautiful offers something for fan of all shapes, sizes and tastes, from penetrating aggro-rockers driven by unrestrained riffs (“Fight,”...
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Review: Phoenix Bankrupt! - A Record You Won't Want To Miss

April 24th, 2013 1:10pm EDT
Phoenix - Thomas Mars
Before the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, Phoenix were the best kept secret in music. The band had already released three fantastic albums, and with their third, It’s Never Been Like That being the most radio friendly of the bunch, it seemed like Wolfgang would finally be the album to break the group into the mainstream, and it in fact was. Singles “Lisztomania” and “1901” were huge hits, and the group secured spots headlining various music festivals and numerous late night television show appearances.

Four years after the release of Wolfgang, the follow up Bankrupt! is now out and i...
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CD Review: The Bronx - 'The Bronx (IV)'

April 16th, 2013 12:45am EDT
The Bronx
After taking a few years off to sow their wild oats as their mariachi band alter ego Mariachi El Bronx, hardcore punkers The Bronx are back with The Bronx (IV), their supposed return to form. The Bronx (IV) blazes out of the gates with opening salvo “The Unholy Land,” a massive cut replete with killer hooks and scorching riffs, though that initial luster wears off by the next track “Along for the Ride,” which falls flat on the heels of such a sweet opener. Now, there are good tracks throughout The Bronx (IV), but the unfortunately thing is that they are all too far and too few, nestled with...
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CD Review: Clutch - 'Earth Rocker'

April 15th, 2013 9:18pm EDT
Clutch
If you can count on anything in the ever-changing music industry, you can count on the fact that Clutch is going to be Clutch, and any time they release a new album, you know this band is going to sit back and do their own thing. This is a trend that continues for sure on the bands tenth studio album Earth Rocker, which proves that the Southern rockers have plenty left in the tank. For the most part, the album is what you’d expect from the stoner rock vets, one that fires off one ripping outing after another (“Mr. Freedom,” “Cyborg Bette”). With Earth Rocker serving as Clutch’s first album ...
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The Postal Service 'Give Up' Ten Year Anniversary Edition Review

April 14th, 2013 6:13am EDT
the postal service
The landscape of music has changed drastically in the last ten years; the internet has allowed countless bedroom producers to become big name recording artists (i.e. M83), indie bands like Modest Mouse, Wilco, and the Flaming Lips are all stars in their own right, and groups like Fun. have broken completely into the mainstream.

“Give Up” may not be the genesis of this shift, but it certainly marks one of the most important releases of the last ten years, and perhaps the most influential one.

The Postal Service was the side project of Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie) and Jimmy Tamborello ...
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Review 'Overgrown': James Blake Delivers Solid Second Record

April 9th, 2013 8:10am EDT
James Blake
There was cause for concern when James Blake announced that his second album was titled "Overgrown." Blake has always been famous for his sparse sound, with layers of sound existing so far apart that the distance can practically be measured with a yard stick. Despite the album title, though, Blake has retained his signature sound, and only really minimally expands on it here; delivering a very solid second record that may lack surprises, but makes up for it in terms of overall sound quality.

Blake has always straddled the lines between dubstep and R&B, and his fragile voice brings to mind ...
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Blake Shelton And 6 Other 'The Voice' Artists Release New Music

March 26th, 2013 10:25am EDT
Blake Shelton
The Voice coach Blake Shelton releases his new album Based on a True Story today (and if you haven't ordered your copy yet, you can do so here), but he's not the only one from the show who's put new music out recently. Here are a half-dozen other artists you know from the show who have turned out fresh albums or EP's in the last few months.

Tje Austin, Dreamin' Big (get it HERE): A member of Team Cee Lo in Season 1, this soulful singer returns with a CD he's been working on for some time, and that extra time and effort shows in a pleasant R&B collection that ranges from the heartbreakingly...
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Justin Timberlake’s 'The 20/20 Experience' Review: Sonic Shock And Awe

March 18th, 2013 5:00pm EDT
The 20/20 Experience
It's been seven years since boybander-turned-superstar Justin Timberlake released his last album, and jammed sexy back into the cultural lexicon.  His new LP drops on March 19, so the biggest questions to be asked upon listening are obvious:  Is it worth the wait? Does it live up to the hype?  The answer is just as clear:  YES.  The aptly named "The 20/20 Experience" is sonic Shock and Awe, a dazzling barrage of traditional R&B and contemporary swagger, thanks to uber-producer Timbaland’s mad-scientist production. 

Experience is Timberlake's best album yet.  The cohesive compilation is com...
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CD Review: Hatebreed - "The Divinity of Purpose"

March 9th, 2013 10:06pm EST
Hatebreed
When asked about The Divinity of Purpose, Hatebreed’s sixth studio album, Frontman Jamey Jasta said it is ‘all pit, no shit.’ Hey, when you’re right, you’re right. It’s grimy, it’s guttural, it’s shattering – it’s Hatebreed. The Divinity of Purpose showcases Hatebreed as a band that knows their skills, and lives within them. This album is a curb-stomping, one nearly devoid any and all things melodic, though it’s not lacking anything in the intense groove department (“Honor Never Dies,” “The Language,” “Before The Fight Ends You”). Unfortunately for Hatebreed, the problem that persists with ...
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CD Review: The Ambersons - "The Magnificent Ambersons"

March 8th, 2013 6:17pm EST
The Ambersons
The Ambersons

The Magnificent Ambersons

With this (almost) self-titled EP, The Ambersons announce their arrival on the scene with a subtle blend of indie music foundations surrounded by an overlaid mixture of roots and electronica. The unusual amalgamation of genres means that the word 'Magnificent' added to the title isn't too far from the truth.

Opener “A Little Love” is an excellent scene-setter, building to a layered ending replete with a full sounding 'whoa' backing chorus. “The New Adventures of Superman” follows, bringing together a sound reminiscent of The Magic Numbers and the ...
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